Atonement

2007, Drama/Romance, 2h 3m

219 Reviews 100,000+ Ratings

What to know

critics consensus

Atonement features strong performances, brilliant cinematography, and a unique score. Featuring deft performances from James MacAvoy and Keira Knightley, it's a successful adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel. Read critic reviews

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Atonement Photos

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Movie Info

This sweeping English drama, based on the book by Ian McEwan, follows the lives of young lovers Cecilia Tallis (Keira Knightley) and Robbie Turner (James McAvoy). When the couple are torn apart by a lie constructed by Cecilia's jealous younger sister, Briony (Saoirse Ronan), all three of them must deal with the consequences. Robbie is the hardest hit, since Briony's deception results in his imprisonment, but hope for Cecilia and her beau increases when their paths cross during World War II.
  • Rating:
    R (Language|Disturbing War Images|Some Sexuality)
  • Genre:
    Drama, Romance
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Joe Wright
  • Producer:
    Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Paul Webster
  • Writer:
    Christopher Hampton
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     limited
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $50.9M
  • Runtime:
  • Distributor:
    Focus Features
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SRD, DTS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

James McAvoy
Robbie Turner
Keira Knightley
Cecilia Tallis
Romola Garai
Briony - Age 18
Saoirse Ronan
Briony - Age 13
Brenda Blethyn
Grace Turner
Vanessa Redgrave
Older Briony
Juno Temple
Lola
Patrick Kennedy
Leon Tallis
Benedict Cumberbatch
Paul Marshall
Harriet Walter
Emily Tallis
Michelle Duncan
Fiona MacGuire
Gina McKee
Sister Drummond
Daniel Mays
Tommy Nettle
Alfie Allen
Danny Hardman
Joe Wright
Director
Christopher Hampton
Writer
Tim Bevan
Producer
Eric Fellner
Producer
Paul Webster
Producer
Richard Eyre
Executive Producer
Robert Fox
Executive Producer
Ian McEwan
Executive Producer
Debra Hayward
Executive Producer
Liza Chasin
Executive Producer
Seamus McGarvey
Cinematography
Paul Tothill
Film Editing
Dario Marianelli
Original Music
Sarah Greenwood
Production Design
Ian Bailie
Supervising Art Direction
Jacqueline Durran
Costume Design
Jina Jay
Casting
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Critic Reviews for Atonement

All Critics (219) | Top Critics (64) | Fresh (182) | Rotten (37)
Full Review… Deborah Ross The Spectator Full Review… Nell Minow Movie Mom Full Review… Bob Mondello NPR.org Full Review… Christopher Orr The New Republic Full Review… Alonso Duralde MSNBC Full Review… Amy Nicholson I.E. Weekly Full Review… Jason Adams My New Plaid Pants Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins Full Review… Josu Lapresa Cinemanía (Spain) Full Review… Richard Propes TheIndependentCritic.com Full Review… PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro Full Review… Matthew Lucas From the Front Row
View All Critic Reviews (219)

Audience Reviews for Atonement

  • Sep 27, 2015
    Take away the acclaim and Atonement works fine as a drama. The film looks as good as the actors. The various situations are somewhat interesting, but the film never comes together or feels completed at the end. The war scenes do almost nothing for the story, which seems to have no main character. But overall, Atonement is fine, I just didn't find it to merit any awards.
    Robert B Super Reviewer
  • Jan 07, 2014
    A romance drama that shifts from joy to chaos thanks to a misunderstanding from a little girl, told in a unique musical score of typewriting sounds. It'll leave you pitiful towards all three main characters.
    Max G Super Reviewer
  • Jun 18, 2013
    Made me feel horribly sad, and a bit nauseous.
    vieras e Super Reviewer
  • Jan 11, 2013
    Joe Wright's 'Atonement' has a lot of positive things going for it, but none more brilliant and substantial than the film's cinematography and visuals. This includes, but is not limited to, a 5 minute tracking shot that never cuts away. It's pure, unadulterated filmmaking that we see less and less of. Not only filled with magnificent visuals, but each of the three leads fills their roles with great intensity and pathos, really creating something out of nothing when it comes to the script. The story feels a little blown out of proportion and the pace a little slow at times, but Wright makes sure it doesn't disappoint his audience. 'Atonement' does not have an astonishingly great story to tell, but its technical brilliance cannot be denied.
    Kase V Super Reviewer
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